Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Junco Nesting in Hanging Basket – Advice???
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July 25, 2012 at 10:58 pm #604117
jwwsParticipantWe have an Oregon Junco nesting in one of our hanging baskets. Hubby says don’t water it and let it die but I think that would make the nest more susceptible to predators. The nest is on one side of the basket very well concealed and I try to water very gently from the other side, but mama Junco always flies out (she does go right back afterwards). Question for birders will she get used to me? Is this doing more harm than good? Should I let the basket die? Would love to see her hatch babies and fledge them, we had house finches nesting on our front porch trellis well concealed by clematis only to have the crows attack and kill all babies within 3 days of hatching. Thanks!
July 26, 2012 at 12:05 am #764987
oddrealityParticipantYou could call the Audubon society and ask.
I fussed around quite a few birds nests and never had a problem so I *think* you are fine to water a bit as long as water stays out of the nest. Mom and dad will still come.
Unfortunately the babies do leave the nest and their lives are in jeopardy right away. Poor little things.I’ve saved a couple this year..at least for a time, no idea if they made it.
July 26, 2012 at 12:41 am #764988
furryfacesParticipantWe had a Junco nest in one of the pots on plant stand this year. We watered the plants around the pot and used a long nosed water can to water the pot with the babies (on the opposite side of the nest). No problems for mom and dad birds.
During our plant sales we had a sign on that plant stand that said…’please stay away–baby birds nesting’ ;0)
July 26, 2012 at 12:44 am #764989
jwwsParticipantFurryfaces,
I m using long nosed watering can too, still hate spooking mom but think keeping her green roof green is in best interest. hoping she will get used to it, has only been 3 days.
July 26, 2012 at 12:56 am #764990
furryfacesParticipantShe’ll get used to it…ours did. She just left the nest; perched in the tree and B****ed us out; then came back when we were done.
She didn’t like it, but the greenery does provide cover–which is very important. We also tried to provide some protection from predators by making it difficult to get to the pot (except for little tiny mom and dad).
July 26, 2012 at 5:22 am #764991
jwwsParticipantThanks will keep posted!
July 26, 2012 at 7:14 pm #764992
DianaParticipantI would not water. If the plants die they will still provide some cover and protection and plants are easy to replace. Stand back and let nature find her way. Keep us posted!
August 9, 2012 at 3:35 am #764993
jwwsParticipantThe babies have hatched!! 4 days old now and I did keep watering on the side since it is a fuchsia basket so wanted to keep them covered. Mama still chirps at me but we worked it out, she has 3-4 babies and one of the resident crows electrocuted itself on our powerline on Seafair Sunday – so hoping that will help the fledglings thrive….
August 9, 2012 at 3:29 pm #764994
amaliaParticipantThanks for sharing! Sad about the crow (that’s the second such story I’ve heard this week), but so fun to see your little babes hatch. Please let us know if they make it to fledging!
August 14, 2012 at 1:49 am #764995
jwwsParticipantbabies are a little over a week old and look like little mini-me’s, should be flying from the nest in a week or so..
June 5, 2018 at 4:14 pm #918717
Junco loverParticipant2nd year of juncos nesting in fuscia. Yes I water carefully with long nose watering can around the edges. Careful not to touch nest. Have to get on a chair to reach. I look first to do when momma not there. She usually comes right back and chips at me. But I usually can get enough water in to keep fuscia alive. As soon as babies grown and gone, I remove the old nest and they build a new one within days. And the process starts again. 2 broods last year. Already starting a 2nd brood this year as watched last baby leave this morning. Went to water and a new nest was being built already next to the first n9w empty one
July 3, 2020 at 10:23 pm #982285
KrazyKatKrewParticipantMy backyard has become an oasis for hummingbirds, finches and new this year- Juncos! While watering a hanging fuschia basket, I found a nest with 4 eggs. I carefully watered around the nest every other day and found babies 4 days ago! I do think the momma built her nest in a lush garden and it would be cruel to let the basket die when the family needs the protection the most. So, I put a bird feeder close by, and use water bulbs to maximize the moisture and minimize the invasion of the bird nursery. Momma and daddy stay close by and my only concern now is that those babies will be fledglings in a few days and the basket is 4 feet off the concrete ground. I worry about the babies getting hurt on their maiden flights. But I can’t move the basket now to ensure a softer landing. Any ideas?
July 4, 2020 at 12:47 am #982303
JeannieParticipantKrazyKatKrew, can you cover the concrete (at least temporarity) with something soft? Maybe an old comforter or a lot of layers of cloth? I have no idea if it’ll help, but it won’t hurt!
July 4, 2020 at 6:26 am #982313
KrazyKatKrewParticipantHi Jeannie…great minds think alike. I thought of taking the cushions off the outdoor bench temporarily to provide a cushion – just in case. Thanks for your suggestion.
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